Germany lose to Italy in the semi-final

The fairytale is over for Germany: After playing above and beyond anyone’s expectations they lost their semi-final 2-0 to Italy after extra time after a pulsating game. German coach Jürgen Klinsmann said it was a bitter way to lose but nonetheless praised his young team for their spirit and commitment.

Germany came into this game on the back of some bad news regarding their quarterfinal clash, literally, against Argentina. The ugly brawl at the end of the game led to a suspension of midfielder Thorsten Frings, a pivotal figure for Germany, for his role in the punch-up between German and Argentine players and officials. He was replaced in midfield by Sebastian Kehl, one of two players in the line-up who play their club football in Dortmund. The other change in the starting line-up was the inclusion of Tim Borowski at the expense of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who, had a below-par performance in the match against Argentina.

Italy came into the game on the back of an unbeaten streak of 23 internationals, however the less welcome news came from back home in the form of the prosecutor in the Serie A’s current match-fixing trial who said that four major clubs including champions Juventus should be relegated to lower divisions and stripped off their titles.

The opening five minutes of the game went according to pre-match predictions, with Germany struggling to break down Italy’s midfield and defence, however after about five minutes the game exploded into life, with both teams playing at a high pace and creating numerous chances. That was in large part due to the Italians playing an open attacking game, which no one had really expected. Germany probably had the best chances of the first half first with a Lukas Podolski volley that was blocked by an Italian defender and then Bernd Schneider bore down on the goal on his own only to blast his shot just over the bar.

The second half picked up where the first one left off if anything with even more intensity as both sides pushed to break the deadlock.

German coach Jürgen Klinsmann tried to change things by bringing on Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 70th minute to add a bit more urgency to the attack. Shortly after that it was the turn of local hero David Odonkor to come on and try and make an impact as he had done against Poland and Argentina. However neither side managed to score and the game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes to take it into extra time.

With barely a minute gone in extra time Italy hit the woodwork twice first after a mazy run by Gildarino who turned Lehmann the wrong way but saw his shot rebound off the post, then it was Zambrotta who hit a screaming shot against the bar following a corner.

Del Piero then came on for Zambrotta making the line-up even more offensive. Just before the end of the first half of extra time, Podolski almost snatched a goal for Germany with a free header which he put past the post. In the opening minute of the second half of extra time, Germany had a great chance with Philipp Lahm putting his shot from outside the area just wide.

With the game heading to penalties, Italy turned up the heat again and following a corner with a minute to go, Pirlo worked the ball to Grosso who hit an incredible curling shot past Lehmann. With Germany pressing for an equaliser, Italy counterattacked and Gilardino deftly flicked the ball to Del Piero who hit a clinical shot past Lehmann into the roof of the net to finish the game off with a 2-0 win for Italy.

German striker Miroslav Klose praised the Italians for their win: “I have to compliment the Italians for the way they counterattacked and scored two great goals.”

The German team will now face Portugal in Stuttgart on Saturday in a play-off for third place.

Meanwhile Italy seek their fourth World Cup title on Sunday with memories of two recent bitter defeats to opponents France adding extra motivation for the Azzurri.

Eight years ago, a highly-rated Italian side were knocked
out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage on penalties by
France who, as hosts, went on to win the final.

Two years later, Dino Zoff's Italy came up against the French again, in the final of Euro 2000, losing out to a golden goal struck by David Trezeguet.

"We hope we can end that run and beat them this time," said
Italy defender Marco Materazzi who will once again partner
captain Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence in the absence of the injured Alessandro Nesta.

Marcello Lippi's side have, as the coach himself put it "grown throughout the tournament" and their 2-0 win over hosts
Germany in Tuesday's semi-final was by far their best display at the finals.

Italy's success, as always, has been built on a rock solid
defence, marshalled superbly by Cannavaro, who will win his
100th cap on Sunday, and keeper Gianluigi Buffon has conceded just one goal -- a freakish own goal -- in the tournament so far.

Lippi has admitted that some of that team spirit was forged
in the face of adversity as his team began their preparations
for the final as the Serie A match-fixing scandal developed,
while Cannavaro says there has been a huge desire to make up for recent disappointments.